It Was an Amazing Afterschool for All Challenge - April 22, 2010

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It Was an Amazing Afterschool for All Challenge - April 22, 2010

By Ursula Helminski Posted: Apr 22, 2010

Yesterday afternoon, we wrapped up the 9^th annual Afterschool for All Challenge. There’s only one way to describe how the event went –amazing. All three days were jam-packed with activities and conversations that ranged from incredibly uplifting to thought-provoking. We saw afterschool youth deliver a special rap they wrote for Terry Peterson (who they called “Mr. Afterschool”), we cheered “Afterschool Is Key” with a crowd of 700 on the lawn of the Capitol for the Afterschool for All Rally, and we met with 250+ Congressional offices.

The event reminded all of us here at the Afterschool Alliance just why we do this work, and how proud and lucky we are to work with you in this field. It’s too much to write all of the highlights here but this should give you a good sense of things. (See more at Afterschool Challenge page)

- 2,500 people attended the Afterschool for All Challenge and NAA Convention, held in conjunction for the first time. Hill Harper of CSI: NY opened up the conference, with workshops featuring:

Discussions of policy issues that will affect the future of afterschool
Presenters such as MaryEllen McGuire of the Domestic Policy Council and Lillian Pace from Rep Dale Kildee’s office
Ideas for going global afterschool, getting more attention for your program and working with older youth

- 600+ friends of afterschool walked from end to end of Capitol Hill, meeting with more than 256 Congressional offices. One-third of U.S. Senators met face-to-face with afterschool supporters on Tuesday, April 21

- 700 joined in an Afterschool for All Rally on Capitol Hill Lawn, led by Judge Glenda Hatchett and featuring:

Reinaldo Llano of Bright House Networks and the two phenomenal youth – Ebony Moore and David Johnson – the company sponsored to bring to D.C.;
Charlotte, NC Councilmember James Mitchell, Jr.;
Congressional Champions Senator Barbara Boxer and Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Dale Kildee and Nita Lowey; and
An "Afterschool is Key" cheer written and delivered by youth who attended the conference from across the country.

- the "Breakfast of Champions" led by Providence, RI Mayor David Cicilline, wrapped things up and featured:

Joan Lombardi of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;
A headline performance by Hootie & the Blowfish's Mark Bryan;
An original rap by two incredible afterschool youth – Jevion Crawford and Tahlia Eberhart of Charleston, SC;
Presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Terry Peterson by William S. White of the Mott Foundation; and
Recognition of 10 state champions from CA, CT, IN, KS, MI, NY, PA, RI, SC, and TN.

Mark your calendars for the 10^th annual Afterschool for All Challenge – May 16-17, 2011 here in Washington, D.C.!